Monday, November 30, 2009

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Is Sarah Palin Retarded?


Is Sarah Palin Retarded?

By kartika damon
She's on a Bridge to Nowhere!

"Wasilla hillbillies looting Neiman Marcus from coast to coast." --an angry McCain aide describing Palin's $150,000 shopping spree

From Websters:

Main Entry: re·tard·ed

Function: adjective sometimes offensive: slow or limited in intellectual or emotional development or academic progress

Okay, I know the word “retarded” is not politically correct, and had I used the word "bimbo" it might have ruffled fewer feathers. And I know for many of us it’s obvious Palin doesn’t know much, is a shallow thinker, and sounds positively moronic whenever she speaks. And, it’s obvious her grasp of facts and basic knowledge is nil. But, when it comes to fundraising, ginning up crowds to fight against their own interests and shoot themselves in the foot to support her, she’s brilliant. And she has made a few mighty smart moves – you betcha!

Read more! Click on the Title or go to:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Is-Sarah-Palin-Retarded

Friday, September 25, 2009

Knitting Christmas Gifts





It's the Season for Knitting

It’s fall and, as usual, my thoughts are turning to yarn. It’s chilly at night and I’m now wearing a jean jacket sometimes – soon it will be time to wear those wool hats and scarves I made last year and go back to my knitting circle. And, it’s not too early to think about starting some projects for Christmas gifts.

Join a Knitting Group!

A great way to get you started on projects is to join a local knitting group this fall! These groups are great if you are a beginner or seasoned knitter. If you get started now, you'll have plenty of time to make wonderful hand-made gifts for the holidays. I recommend finding a knitting group that has an experience knitter whose job is to help people conquer their knitting projects. Knitting is now so fashionable and popular, all cities and many smaller towns, have knitting supply stores with classes and knitting groups.

There’s something comforting and nourishing about sitting in a circle of knitters, especially when it’s cold and there’s snow and ice on the sidewalk. Of course you can be happy knitting in any weather, but I’m a seasonal knitter. It’s primal—working with your hands in a group of mostly women who are talking knitting—what project are you working on, what size are your needles, what kind of yarn is that, and can you help me with this? It’ fun to see the amazing talent some knitters have and the beautiful and complex things they make. For centuries, women have sat together knitting and doing crafts, making beautiful and practical things. It’s good for our souls.

read more: Knitting Christmas Gifts - http://hubpages.com/hub/Knitting-Christmas-Gifts

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Best Natural Cleaning Products













The Importance of using non toxic cleaning products

The environment is under assault—there’s global warming, toxic chemicals in our air and water, landfills, stripped mines, pesticides in the farmland, just to name of few of our Mother Earth’s challenges. Natural household cleaners are a safe alternative to chemical cleaners for a clean, greener home, and "green cleaning" is a more pleasant experience than cleaning with toxic products.

Cleaning products typically contain dangerous toxic irritants and dyes. Some even contain solvents. Household bleach is a corrosive irritant and many multi-purpose cleaners contain a cocktail of chemicals, including ones which are thought to act on the central nervous system. Many people have developed allergies and environmental illness as a result of over-exposure to the toxins in the environment, and that includes exposure to dangerous chemicals in cleaning products.

more...Best Natural Cleaning Products
http://hubpages.com/hub/Best-Natural-Cleaning-Products

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Collage and Mixed Media tips - Getting Started!

Hey there! As you know, I love collage and mixed media! Here are some quick and easy tips it took me some time to figure out. I had to research and dig a bit to learn these basics, but they make a huge difference for me!

Having the right tools and materials makes all the difference! If you are working in mixed media and want the freedom to use lots of layers, fabric, found objects, and more, make sure your supports are strong - I recommend going to the hardware store and having them cut a plywood board into desired sizes. This is cheaper than buying from art stores!

Always prepare your surface carefully by sanding the rough edges and using gesso. Gesso comes in white, black, and even clear. I love using white gesso because the light shines through when adding transparent paints!

Start layering your board with colors that entice you. I use Golden acrylic paint in a variety of transparent colors and combine with the opaque colors for contrast. Put down high quality images from magazines, computer images, etc. with matte medium.

First, brush the side you are placing on the board and adhere it firmly using a brayer. Then go over the image with more matte medium to prepare it for adding paint. Use the brayer and your fingers often to make certain your images are flat and will not buckle!

Next, you can blend the edges of your images with Titan buff. Continue layering paint and images as you create a pleasing design! You can correct mistakes by painting Titan Buff over them and starting over.
Experiment with garage sale finds, jewelry, papers, and favorite found objects to create dimension and interest - just go for it!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

I am having a ball writing for Hubpages!


Products and Tips for Aging Naturally

Can you go the distance without plastic surgery?


People are terrified of change and aging is full of it. We lose our youthful beauty—it’s a given that aging produces changes even in the most fabulous looking and fit people on the planet. And of course, no one gets out of here alive, and if illness or accidents fail to take us out, the decline called aging will

http://hubpages.com/hub/Products-and-Tips-for-Aging-Naturally

Friday, September 11, 2009

Heated up Rhetoric Stirs up the Reptiles


Heated up Rhetoric Stirs up the Reptiles
Since Obama has taken office, the Right wing propaganda machine is doing what totalitarian regimes, fascists, institutions, and churches, and bosses have done throughout human history—motivate the masses by stimulating the Reptilian brain. They manufacture false threats to activate people’s deepest fears, and then use these people as pawns to do their dirty work. Once they get the crowds foaming at the mouth and calling for blood, they distance themselves just enough to claim innocence and insist they are only listening to the will of the people. If the targets of their hate are assassinated or denigrated, they refuse to take responsibility for stoking the fires. They claim status as the only real patriots, Americans, Christians, or whatever the case may be, and marginalize all who don’t serve their agenda to gain more power, control, and money. While the men behind the curtain may be smarter than the pawns, they are driven by their own Reptilian instincts to control the masses of the misinformed and vulnerable, while aligning themselves with other reptiles with the same agendas.

To read my entire article: http://hubpages.com/hub/Right-Wing-Extremists-and-the-Reptilian-Brain

Friday, September 4, 2009

Sweetpea


This is my friend's adorable cockatiel who is a free roaming indoor bird that dances to music, plays with toys, sits on your shoulder while you rub his neck, has several bird houses both inside and a lovely cage on the porch, and is an all around great family member! I was surprised to learn that these birds can be are very social and have so much personality! Sweetpea even takes showers with his owner.

Monday, August 31, 2009

My First Mosaic Pot!


This was such a fun project - did it outside in my back yard on a big table. To see step by step instructions go to my hubpages at: http://hubpages.com/profile/kartika+damon

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Prayer and Meditation - mixed media collage


I love starting a piece and watching it unfold - it is a constant surprise. Sometimes, in the middle I may find I'm really upset because it's just not working! And, if I keep at it, it may lead to some next step that pulls it all together and that's when I feel joy.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Three Faces


These masks were so much fun to create - it seems they now have a life of their own!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Earth - mixed media collage



I'm reposting this one because I think it is a clearer image!

Morning Star - mixed media collage



I was struggling recently with some execution issues while starting back up in collage, and found a book that has really been helpful - Creative Paint Workshop for Mixed Media Artists by Ann Baldwin (oh, and I hit on some great garage sales for interesting objects!)- she has some valuable tips for layering and working with translucent paint - I love Golden acrylics and the colors are stunning! Anyway, feel free to share any of your favorite tips with me on the subject!

Revlations is my home away from home!


This is the coffee house, restaurant, and used book store where I hang out between work and home - you know, that place you go for a latte, where you can bring a lap top and write or blog or meet friends. Somehow it never feels like time wasted, but time well spent. Do you have a place like that you love to go? I wonder where everyone else hangs out...

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

On my porch - favorite things!


I love the summer and putting things on my enclosed front porch!

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Buddha in the garden


This summer I was really happy with my front garden and found this great Buddha at a great yard sale in Kansas City. Buddha seems happy in the garden.

Friday, July 31, 2009

Geraniums on my porch


There is magic in summer and geraniums and birds bring it on. Now, I think of all of these simple things as the most important and powerful and beautiful.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Holly Moore's Birdhouse in my backyard!


I was so thrilled to see a nest inside after only a week or two! Holly's bird houses are so wonderful - non toxic, cedar, and full of love!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Goddess of the Vines


I love the Goddess in all her forms.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Goddess of the Winged

Last fall I had a show at our local coffee house and restaurant, Revelations. This is one of my mixed media pieces - a series of goddesses that represented different flavors of nature.

I'm Back! Expect to Hear from Me!


I feel I need to blog! I will be posting my new mixed media very soon! Om Shanti!

Friday, March 6, 2009

Three Cups of Tea


This book is wonderful! - it is an exciting adventure story that takes place in Pakistan, and shows how one person can touch many lives by building schools, and be a bridge between cultures. It is a must read - especially with our current focus on issues in the Middle East!

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Mask by Kartika



It has been ages since I have blogged, but I just felt like saying "hi" to anyone who happens to stop by! Om shanti to everyone in the world!